Overall score
South Melbourne
68.8/100
St Kilda West
46.5/100
South Melbourne vs St Kilda West, VIC suburb comparison
South Melbourne for investment and value; St Kilda West for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
South MelbourneSt Kilda West
Crime rate
South Melbourne
305.6 / 1k
St Kilda West
87.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
South Melbourne
559
St Kilda West
46
Population
South Melbourne
11,548
St Kilda West
2,951
Metric leadSouth Melbourne 7St Kilda West 31 tiedacross 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesSt Kilda West
- Best for familiesSt Kilda West
- Best for beach lifestyleSt Kilda West
- Best for investmentSouth Melbourne
- Best for best valueSouth Melbourne
Audience fit
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
All metrics
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Full comparison table
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | South Melbourne | St Kilda West |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 68.8/100 | 46.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 7.9/100 | 18.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 305.6 / 1k | 87.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 12 | 8 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 45 | 10 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 23.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 559 | 46 |
| Planning activity | 247 | 40 |
| Population | 11,548 | 2,951 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
South Melbourne reads as an energetic metro established suburb where cafés and local life overlap; St Kilda West is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living. St Kilda West leans into coastal living, while South Melbourne feels more inland and suburban in character.
South Melbourne pulls ahead on schools and education options and parks and reserves, whereas St Kilda West is the better pick for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
Investors and value-focused buyers may find South Melbourne the better fit, while retirees and families are more likely to prefer St Kilda West.